Improvement in machines for breaking and dressing hemp and flax



WARNER, MIXSELL & HORN.-

Hackling Machine. v

Patented July 31, 1837.

Inventors:

Wwnesses:

UNiTnn STATES CHAPMAN WABNElh ApT. MIXSELL, AND E. J. HORN, OFBELVIDERE, N. J.

PATEN @rriee.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR BREAKING AND DRESSING HEMP AND FLAX.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 3 I 9, dated July 31,1837.

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that we, CHAPMAN l/VARNER, ABRAHAM T. MIxsELL, and EDWIN J.HORN, of Belvidere, in the county of Warren and State of New Jersey,have invented a new and useful Machine for Breaking, Dressing, andHatcheling Hemp and Flax; and we do hereby declare that the following isa full and exact description thereof.

The different parts of this machine may be variously arranged, theimportant point being to give such a disposition thereto as shall renderit convenient to pass the material through the successive operations inthe same machine in the most rapid manner. The breaking is to beeffected by passing the hemp or the flax be tween brakes or beatersconsisting of a framework of slats, which is representedin section inFigure 1, a front view of one of the frames being shown in Fig. 2. Theseframes are three in number, two of them being stationary and the thirdvibrating between them.

a a, Fig. 1, are the two stationary frames, and I) b the vibrating framebetween them.

0 c 0, Figs. 1 and 2, are the slats, which are fixed obliquely in theirframes, in order that they may strike a different part of the hemp orthe flax as it is moved along the machine. The slats on the vibratingframe I) b are so arranged as to strike into the spaces between those ofthe stationary frames. The vibrating frame is usually hung, like thelathe ofa loom, by gudgeons on its top rail, 0!, Figs. 1 and 2. It ismade to vibrate by the crank e, to which the connecting-rod f isattached. 9 is a section of the crankshaft; h h, the bottom or floortimbers. 1

The hemp orflax is to be heldin clamps composed of two strips hingedtogether at one end and having a clip or clasp at the other. This clampis shown in different positions at i 11 t '5 Fig. 4; and as containingthe hemp and in use at 13, Fig. 2.

jj, Figs. 1 and 2, is a rod or bar extending along the machine, therebeing one over each of the stationary frames, to sustain the clampscharged with the hemp or flax. Forthis purpose there are hooks is 70upon the upper sides of the clamps, which clip over and are capa ble ofsliding along .the bar or rod. ll is a chain or band passing roundwhirls m m, serving to carry the hemp or flax along the machine betweenthe brakes. A wire or catch,

a, ascends from the clamp to the chain or band,

so that when the latter moves on the clamp must move with it.

0 is a feed or ratchet wheel upon one of the whirls m, and p is thefeed-hand of this wheel, attached to the arm q, projecting from the toprail, d, of the vibrating frame, the effect of which arrangement willbeto move the hemp or flax upon the barj bythe Vibration of the vibratingframe.

r is a pawl to check the ratchet-wheel, which remains at rest at theperiod when the vibrating frame strikes its blow on either side. Thedouble line shown between the two sides I) b of the vibrating framerepresent a partition by which the openings of the slats on either sideare closed up, this being an essential feature in its construction, asit serves to draw the air,

by its vibration between the slats of the stationary frames, and therebyto free the fibers from between them at every stroke.

The several clamps, charged with hemp or flax, are hung onto the rod orbarj by the attendant as near together. as may be, there be ing a row oneach side of the vibrating frame, carried along by their respectivechains. Ai ter the charge of hemp or flax has been com-' pletely brokenat one end it is reversed in the clamp and the operation repeated, whichprepares it for the dressing-knives. To cause the hemp orflax to yieldto the blow which carries it between the slats, the rod or bar j j isaffixed to vibrating levers s .9, working on fulcra, as shown in thedrawi'hgs, andborne down by springs't it, connected to them by the rodsa a.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section, and Fig. 6' atop view, of the dressingapparatns,which consists of a hollow drum or cylinder, 10 w, revolvinghorizontally, having dressing-knives projecting from its periphery andafan o'r wind-wheel within it revolving in a direction the reverseofthat of the drum, the wind from which passes out through months oropenings in the periphery of the drum in the spaces betweenthedressing-knives.

v is the shaft of the drum to w, having a whirl on it by which it ismade to revolve.

0c is the shaft of the fan or wind wheel, having also a whirl on it, theband to which is to be crossed to give the reverse motion to the vanes yy. The knives z z are in sets of three or more, placed a little inadvance of each other, serving to dress the hemp or flax which is stillheld in the clamp and allowed to hang over the bar or rest .2, or ratherthrough slots or openings in the floor or casing under which therevolving drum may be situated, the current of air passing out from thewind-wheel opening the fibers, tending to keep them up against thedressing-knives, and blowing out the shivers, so as to separate themcompletely from the dressed hemp or flax.

The hatchel consists of a revolving drum set with suitable teeth and itsaxis being horizontal. The teeth are usually divided into four sets,each set consisting of three rows (more or less) crossing the cylinderfrom end to end. as shown in Figs. 7 and S. The ends of thehatcheling-cylinder are notched out or have pieces affixed to them, soas to form cams or guides, as shown at 1 l 1,which serve to raise theVibrating frame 2 2, this frame working upon joints at its outer end.The material to be hatcheled is fed over the crossbar 3 of thisvibrating frame, which, by the operation of the cams or guides, willraise it from and lower it onto the hatchel-teeth, keepingitin theproper direction to be acted upon bythem in the most advantageousmanner. To clear the tow from between the teeth, rods of iron are benttwice at right angles in a staple-like form, 4 44, and

' are placed between each of the rows of teeth with their two endspointing toward the axis of the cylinder. These slide freelyin and'out,

- being checked when they arrive near to the points of the teeth. As thecylinder revolves these clearers fall against its periphery by their owngravity as they are brought upward, and descend by the same power asthey pass below, pushing the tow out before them. Successive hatchels,similar in construction but of increasing fineness, complete thisoperation.

Having thus fully described all the essential operative parts of ourmachine, and explained the manner in which it acts, we deem italtogether superfluous to give any more particular description of thebands,whirls, or other gearing by which the respective parts may havemotion communicated to them, as these may be varied indefinitely by anycompetent workman,while the principle of action will remain unchanged;nor have we thought it necessary to give any particular dimensions ofthe respective parts, as these must be varied according to the powerapplied, and according as the machine may be intended for hemp or forflax.

WVha-t we claim as our invention is- 1. The manner of constructing thebreaking apparatus, as herein described, consisting of a drum orcylinder, and having a fan-wheel within it operating in the manner andfor the purpose set forth.

3. The vibrating frame of the hatcheling apparatus, in combination with.the cams or guides, constructed substantially as herein fully madeknown.

CHAPMAN \VARNER. ABRAHAM T. MIXSELL. EDWIN J. HORN.

Witnesses:

ADAM BUTz, XVM. R. SHARP.

